Virginia voters, including women and young voters, give Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, a
53 - 26 percent job approval rating, one of the highest scores in any of the seven states surveyed
by Quinnipiac University, according to a poll released today.

The only group that disapproves is Democrats, by a fairly narrow 43 - 34 percent.

"As Gov. Bob McDonnell enters his final year in office, he remains one of the nation's
more popular chief state executives," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac
University Polling Institute. "He is the only Republican office-holder in the seven states
surveyed by Quinnipiac University who get positive ratings from women, almost 2-1 in this case,
and a plus score from black voters. A 2-1 approval rating among young voters doesn't hurt."

"Are national GOP leaders paying attention here?"

Every group except Democrats also has a favorable opinion of McDonnell.

Virginia voters are divided on lifting the ban on uranium mining in the state, as 42
percent support mining because of economic benefits, while 40 percent oppose mining because
of environmental concerns.

Virginia voters say 51 - 43 percent that requiring year-round public schools is a bad idea.
There is little partisan or gender difference on this issue, but independent voters support the idea
by a narrow 48 - 44 percent. Voters with children in public schools are divided, with 50 percent
in favor of more school and 47 percent opposed. Voters with college degrees support year-round
school 50 - 44 percent;

By a 49 - 42 percent margin, voters say it should be easier to fire public school teachers.
Support is 63 - 31 percent among Republicans and 54 - 37 percent among independent voters.
Democrats are opposed 60 - 31 percent. Men want firing made easier, 55 - 38 percent, while
women are divided, with 43 percent in favor of easier firing and 46 percent opposed.

A total of 92 percent of Virginia voters say it is "very important" or "somewhat
important" to improve roads and highways. But there are mixed opinions on where to find the
money to make the improvements.

Given a choice, however, between tolls or a higher gas tax, voters prefer tolls 56 - 32
percent. Support for tolls over a gas tax hike is strong among all groups, except voters in the
southeast part of the Commonwealth, where 46 percent prefer tolls and 42 percent prefer higher
gas taxes.

"There is broad public support for the idea of state action to improve the state's roads and
highways, but not on how such projects should be funded," said Brown.

From November 8 - 12, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,469 registered voters with a
margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia
and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter.

9. Is your opinion of Bob McDonnell favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?

24. As you may know, there is a ban on mining uranium in Virginia. Some people say there should be mining for uranium because of the economic benefits. Others say there should not be mining for uranium because of the environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view?

TREND: As you may know, there is a ban on mining uranium in Virginia. Some people say there should be mining for uranium because of the economic benefits. Others say there should not be mining for uranium because of the environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view?

25. The state is considering putting tolls on parts of Interstate 95 to help pay for road repairs. Do you think putting tolls on Interstate 95 to help pay for road repairs is a good idea or a bad idea?

TREND: The state is considering putting tolls on parts of Interstate 95 to help pay for road repairs. Do you think putting tolls on Interstate 95 to help pay for road repairs is a good idea or a bad idea?

Nov 15 Oct 12
2012 2011
Good idea 38 42
Bad idea 57 52
DK/NA 5 6

26. If you had to choose, would you rather have highway tolls or a higher gas tax to raise money for road improvement?